Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court sitting in Garki has granted bail to former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is currently facing trial for alleged fraud amounting to ₦19.4 billion. Justice Belgore granted the bail under stringent conditions, requiring the former minister to provide a sum of one hundred million naira (₦100,000,000) and two sureties of the same amount. Additionally, one of the sureties must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The court has also restricted the former minister from traveling outside Nigeria without obtaining prior permission.
The court extended similar bail terms to the second defendant, Ahmad Sirika, who is also embroiled in the same case. Both defendants are expected to adhere strictly to the bail conditions at their trial proceeds.
The charges against Hadi Sirika and his associates stem from recent actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC has leveled fresh charges against the former minister, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and his company, Enginos Nigeria Limited. The allegations revolve around fraudulent activities related to several aviation ministry contracts. The EFCC claims that these contracts, worth over ₦19.4 billion, were improperly awarded to Enginos Nigeria Limited, which is owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar.
Prior to these fresh charges, the EFCC had already arraigned Hadi Sirika alongside his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma, and a firm named Al Buraq Global Investment Limited. They were accused of engaging in fraudulent activities totaling ₦2.7 billion. Although Sirika was granted bail in the earlier case, the EFCC brought new charges against him, further complicating his legal battles.
In the fresh charges, the EFCC detailed several counts of alleged corrupt practices. One of the counts accuses Hadi Sirika of using his position as Minister of Aviation to secure an unfair advantage for Enginos Nigeria Limited. The EFCC alleges that on August 18, 2022, Sirika influenced the award of a contract worth ₦1,345,586,500.00 for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport to his brother’s company. This action, according to the EFCC, violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Another count alleges that on November 3, 2022, Sirika again used his position to benefit Enginos Nigeria Limited. He is accused of influencing the award of a contract worth ₦3,811,497,685.00 for the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport. Additionally, Sirika is accused of awarding a contract worth ₦615,195,275.00 to his brother’s company for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and power generators for the Aviation House in Abuja.
Further allegations by the EFCC indicate that between August 2022 and May 2023, Hadi Sirika had possession of sums totaling ₦2,337,840,674.16. The EFCC claims that these funds were indirectly derived from Sirika’s corrupt activities as Minister of Aviation.
After considering the arguments presented on Thursday, the court decided to grant bail to both Hadi Sirika and his brother. The trial has been scheduled to proceed on May 28 and 29, 2024. As the case unfolds, it continues to draw significant public and media attention, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address corruption within Nigeria’s public sector.
The gravity of the charges and the high-profile nature of the defendants make this case a crucial one for the EFCC and the Nigerian judiciary. The outcome of the trial will not only impact the individuals involved but also serve as a benchmark for how corruption cases involving top government officials are handled in the country.
